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Sharm El Sheikh Warnings or Dangers
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Sharm El Sheikh Warnings or Dangers

A Few Good Men - Sharm El Sheikh
A Few Good Men
by gabriellefox
Sharm El Sheikh travel tips posted by real travelers and Sharm El Sheikh locals.
Sharm El Sheikh Map
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~ Visa On Arrival ~
  • Tip Rating:
  • Heavens-Mirror
  • Updated By Heavens-Mirror on May 15, 2007
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by Heavens-Mirror
  • ~ Passports ~ - Sharm El Sheikh
    ~ Passports ~
    by Heavens-Mirror
    If you are a UK citizen and hold a UK passport you do not need a tourist visa of around £20 or $15 US Dollars. We were made to buy one at Sharm El Sheikh airport only to be told by our rep that we didnt need one unless we were going on excursions to Cairo or Luxor.

    Any foreign visitors who are unsure if they need a visa must check with the Egyptian Consulate before travelling. Dont be tricked into buying one at Sharm airport like we did. Also if you have an Israel stamp in your passport you will need to inform the Consulate before arranging travel to Egypt.

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    ~ Scuba Diving ~
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  • Heavens-Mirror
  • By Heavens-Mirror on May 15, 2007
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by Heavens-Mirror
  • ~ Scuba diving ~ - Sharm El Sheikh
    ~ Scuba diving ~
    by Heavens-Mirror
    If you are planning on going scuba diving in Sharm it is highly recommended to have a full medical examination in resort, this may be charged at an additional cost with the diving company. Also make sure you see your doctor before going on holiday to make sure you are fit and well to dive.

    It is dangerous to fly less than 24 hours after scuba diving, due to changes in pressure which may result in illness or a more severe case of being paralysed. Please dont let this put you off diving but make sure you are aware of the dangers.

    I recommend you take out extra insurance to cover your scuba diving course, most insurance policies cover you for up to 30 metres if you are a qualified diver, or as a beginner accompanied with a qualified dive instructor. You will not be covered if you dive alone. Make sure you check with your insurance company because it is so important in case anything does happen. I cannot stress to you how important insurance is when doing hazardous sports.

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    The 50LE - 50piaster scam
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  • FletteMette
  • Updated By FletteMette on November 27, 2006
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by FletteMette
  • Sharm El Sheikh Warnings or Dangers
    by FletteMette
    When going on snorkelling trips from Sharm, you're usually taken by bus to Travco Marina from where the boats depart. As I've written in other tips, snorkelling gear is often not provided on these trips, and many of the tour operators will herd their passengers into Diving World in Travco Marina to rent snorkelling equipment.

    One of my friends rented gear here - and got scammed. The shop was very busy, as several busloads of tourists had just arrived - my friend got his mask & snorkel, and was told it cost 45LE. He handed over a 100LE note - which the guy behind the counter took and seemingly hid among other notes inside a book - no sign of giving my friend any change, the Diving World guy simply continued handing over snorkelling gear to other customers, chatting etc - when my friend asked for his change, the Diving World guy said something to the rest of the staff, who all dug out some 1LE-notes from their wallets and gave to my friend. When he asked for the rest of his money, the staff claimed he'd only given them a 50LE note - and refused to give him the remaining 50LE.

    This *could* perhaps have been a mistake or misunderstanding, but some facts tell me it wasn't:
    1) We *know* it was a 100LE note. (It was the only money he brought with him that day)
    2) The Diving World-guy seemingly put the money inside a book, which he later showed us, claiming "look, there's no 100LE note here". (And there was no 50LE either;o) I guess this was done to distract us / "prove" that he didn't give them 100LE.
    3) They all chipped in 1LE and 50piaster notes, instead of simply giving him one of the 5LE notes they had available - a bunch of notes including a 50piaster one might easily be mistaken for 50-something LE by one of us "stupid tourists";o)

    The quality of the snorkelling equipment was also *very* bad, and my suggestion is: rent somewhere else! (Or at least pay *very* close attention when you pay) (That of course applies to other shops as well;o) Be aware that the 50piaster note might easily be confused with a 50LE one.

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    Lion Fish
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  • joolssss
  • By joolssss on March 8, 2005
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by joolssss
  • Lion Fish - Sharm El Sheikh
    Lion Fish
    by joolssss
    There are a few of these little beauties in the Red Sea. We saw about 4 , one of which was on the steps of our jetty and we couldnt get out the water! good job the kids can tread water!
    Lion Fish sting you with their dorsel fins which have spines in them. They can be deadly, so be careful.

    Also very nasty fish to watch out for are stonefish nd coneshells. Get a good book and research before you go!

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    Beware of strong current!
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  • Tripack
  • Updated By Tripack on September 7, 2005
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by Tripack
  • Copyright Hawaiian Lifeguard - Sharm El Sheikh
    Copyright Hawaiian
    Lifeguard
    by Tripack

    The current could be quite strong @ your Red Sea divespot.

    Always enquire the sea condition before to swim or dive. Agree with the boat captain the pickup point after your dive to avoid to be lost in the middle of nowhere.

    Never try to swim against a strong current. You will easily tire and soon be exhausted. To get out of a current swim straight across it or diagonally across it.

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    Taxi's Fares
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  • Capisco
  • Updated By Capisco on September 22, 2005
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by Capisco
  • Taxi Fare Ticket - Sharm El Sheikh
    Taxi Fare Ticket
    by Capisco
    Taxi's in Sharm El Sheikh will try to ask you for alot of money even though a certain ticket from the government is on the taxi .
    So take care only pay like that ticket says i took a photo for the ticket for all of you to see and know it .
    If he asked for more just tell him that the police asked you to pay only like on the ticket.
    If you need to know some certain words to say in that situation in Arabic just drop me a message on VT

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    Good Chemist/pharmacist if you need one!!
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  • By Tigergambit on August 16, 2005
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by Tigergambit
  • I was unfortunate enough to get stung by coral whilst in Sharm. Not dreadfully painful at the time(short lived nettle sting) but 24 hours later it had come up rather alarmingly. There is a pharmacist on King of Bahrain Street called Omar & Omar who were knowledgeable and tremendously helpful and sold me some excellent anti-inflammatory/anti-histamine cream.

    (Also the only place we could find tampons, but take these with you as they're expensive!!)

    Situated near the Daneer Steakhouse on the same side of the road. Open 9am - 3am.

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    ~ Weather ~
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  • Heavens-Mirror
  • Updated By Heavens-Mirror on May 16, 2007
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by Heavens-Mirror
  • ~ Ouch Gaz's sunburn on his waist ~ - Sharm El Sheikh
    ~ Ouch Gaz's sunburn on his
    waist ~
    by Heavens-Mirror
    The weather in Egypt is hot and dry all year round. Although i would avoid travelling to Egypt in the months of July and August as it hits temperatures of over 40 degrees celcius. I have been there in August and trust me it was far too hot and humid.

    But i would highly recommend Egypt all year round apart from these two months as it is a guaranteed sunshine destination what ever time of year you go and is very popular during the UK winter months.

    I would also recommend a high factor sun tan lotion, when Gaz and i went in March it was lovely and warm and not too hot but we still managed to get a little bit sun burned due to the nice breeze from the Red Sea.... so be extra careful and make sure you keep reapplying plenty of lotion and get a sunblock if your taking children.

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    Watch your step
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  • FletteMette
  • Updated By FletteMette on January 16, 2008
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by FletteMette
  • Egyptian death trap;o) - Sharm El Sheikh
    Egyptian death trap;o)
    by FletteMette
    Some of you might know that I'm quite fascinated by manhole covers (have a look at the albums on my home page if you don't know what I'm rambling about now...;o) - but in Sharm, it was the occasional *lack* of manhole covers that caught my attention...!

    There's a lot of construction work going on in the area, and in many places the roads and pavements seem to have been left only partly finished;o) - the hole you see in the photo was several metres deep, probably 50 x 50 cm wide, completely uncovered and unmarked - and right in the middle of a pavement in central Naama Bay. Not something I'd like to stumble upon in the dark...

    Sharm must be a pretty challenging place for the disabled - as mentioned the condition of roads and pavements aren't always great, (very) high kerbs are the norm, and wheelchair ramps are rarely seen.

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    Don't make false promises
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  • Lilmagic
  • Updated By Lilmagic on May 13, 2004
  • Sharm El Sheikh Page by Lilmagic
  • When the local traders try to persuade you 'sign their guest book' or 'come, I give you my card to make good name for my family in your country' DO NOT tell them you will come another day, but not today. They WILL remember you and every time you walk past they will insist you promised and must keep your promises. So, if you don't wish to spend the next hour or two trying to avoid buying whatever it is they are selling then it's better just to say 'no thank you' and walk away.

    They can be very very persistent, but they will give up and move on if you stand your ground.

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    More Sharm El Sheikh Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
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    Things To Do
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    Nightlife
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    Transportation
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    Restaurants
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    Shopping
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    Off the Beaten Path
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    Tourist Traps
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    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 85 - Photos: 45
    Local Customs
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    Packing Lists
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    Sports Travel
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    General Tips
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    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0

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